Originally given in 1988, this award is bestowed by KACM to a serving local government manager/administrator in Kansas who has consistently and actively exhibited the attributes and qualities of the late Buford M. Watson, Jr. (former City Manager of Lawrence, KS) which include serving as a role model in dealing with constituents, valuing customer satisfaction, and encouraging new members of the profession. This award is the highest honor given by KACM.
Eligibility: Any KACM member who is currently working in an administrative capacity in Kansas is eligible for nomination. No current officer or voting member of the Board of Directors of KACM may be considered for this particular award while serving on the board.
| Year | Name | Local Government |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Diane Stoddard | City of Leawood |
| 2022 | Brian Silcott | City of Goddard |
| 2021 | Kathy Sexton | City of Derby |
| 2020 | Ty Lasher | City of Bel Aire |
| 2019 | Susan Sherman | City of Olathe |
| 2018 | Matt Allen | City of Garden City |
| 2017 | Eric Wade | City of Lenexa |
| 2016 | Courtney Christensen | City of Mission Hills |
| 2015 | J. Michael Wilkes | City of Olathe |
| 2014 | Ron Fehr | City of Manhattan |
| 2013 | Jason Gage | City of Salina |
| 2012 | Dennis Hays | Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, Kansas |
| 2011 | Richard Nienstedt | City of Ottawa |
| 2010 | Larry Paine | City of Hillsboro |
| 2009 | Pete Olson | Finney County |
| 2008 | John Deardoff | City of Hutchinson |
| 2007 | Hannes Zacharias | Johnson County |
| 2006 | Randy Riggs | City of Chanute |
| 2005 | Mike Wildgen | City of Lawrence |
| 2004 | Dennis Kissinger | City of Salina |
| 2003 | Howard Partington | City of Great Bend |
| 2002 | Bill Buchanan | Sedgwick County |
| 2001 | Stan Stewart | City of El Dorado |
| 2000 | Joe Palacioz | City Hutchinson |
| 1999 | Chris Cherches | City of Wichita |
| 1998 | Curtis B. Freeland | City of Arkansas City |
| 1997 | Richard Chesney | Johnson County |
| 1996 | Robert Halloran | City of Garden City |
| 1995 | Eugene Denton | Johnson County |
| 1994 | Robert Walker | City of Chanute |
| 1993 | W. Mark Pentz | City of Leavenworth |
| 1992 | David Watkins | City of Lenexa |
| 1991 | Richard E. Cotton | City of Winfield |
| 1990 | James R. Pearson | City of Manhattan |
| 1988 | Buford M. Watson Jr. | City of Lawrence |
